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KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) announced that a delegation from the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) visited the KINGS campus on the 28th. STUK is a world-class independent regulatory authority responsible for nuclear safety regulation in Finland and is internationally recognized for its high level of expertise and credibility in radioactive waste management. Notably, STUK supervises the Onkalo project, the world’s first permanent disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste.

The visit was conducted to gain insight into the operational status of nuclear education institutions in Korea and to better understand KINGS’ education and research environment. During the visit, the STUK delegation toured KINGS’ education and research facilities and received briefings on its specialized academic programs in nuclear engineering, nuclear safety, and radioactive waste management, as well as its practice-oriented research curriculum and international cooperation activities. Introductions to the research capabilities and educational activities of KINGS’ highly specialized faculty members were also provided.

STUK representatives expressed strong interest in KINGS’ systematic educational infrastructure and its industry-linked education system. Professor Gareth Law of the University of Helsinki also joined the visit and showed interest in KINGS’ academic programs and student exchange initiatives.

KINGS has recently positioned the expansion of its international education network as a core strategic priority. As the nuclear sector operates under globally harmonized safety and technical standards, KINGS plans to continue strengthening its educational competitiveness through active collaboration with a wide range of overseas institutions.

A KINGS official stated, “The visit by an internationally recognized regulatory authority provided a meaningful opportunity to objectively introduce our education system,” adding, “We will continue our efforts to create a globally competitive educational environment.”

Founded by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) in 2014, KINGS has consistently educated master’s- and doctoral-level professionals in the nuclear field. Through close cooperation with domestic and international nuclear industry companies and research institutes, KINGS remains committed to nurturing practice-oriented nuclear professionals. 

Following this visit by the STUK delegation, educational and research collaboration in the areas of nuclear safety and radioactive waste management is expected to expand further, leading to increased research activity in these fields.

On December 2, 2025, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Graduate Studies (KINGS) welcomed a delegation from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Science (HCMUS), including its Vice President and faculty members, strengthening the foundation for nuclear education and research cooperation between the two countries.

This visit carries significant meaning as Vietnam has recently placed national-level emphasis on cultivating nuclear talent and securing technological capabilities. The Vietnamese government is strategically promoting the development of nuclear professionals to ensure stable future power supply and achieve carbon-neutrality goals. HCMUS, designated as one of Vietnam’s 11 specialized institutions for nuclear workforce development, plays a central role in securing talent and expanding educational infrastructure in the nuclear field. The university has faculty expertise in nuclear safety, radiation science, reactor physics, and other specialized areas, and has shown strong interest in international collaboration.

The delegation, led by Vice President Nguyen Trung Nhan, visited the KINGS campus to observe Korea’s advanced nuclear education system and hands-on training environment firsthand.

KINGS highlighted its ongoing efforts to expand cooperation with Asian countries, including Vietnam, as an international hub for nuclear talent development, emphasizing the potential for building a mutually complementary partnership in the nuclear sector.

The HCMUS delegation remarked, “KINGS is a highly systematic and specialized institution in the nuclear field, offering valuable insights for Vietnam’s nuclear workforce development policy. We look forward to further cooperation between our institutions.”

This visit is expected to solidify the cooperation framework between the two nations, which share the common goal of cultivating nuclear professionals, and contribute to advancing safe and sustainable nuclear development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Aslan M. Askar, Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Busan, visited the KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School(KINGS) on Tuesday, October 28. The visit aimed to explore ways to strengthen cooperation between Korea and Kazakhstan in the fields of education and energy, and to gain first-hand insight into KINGS’s system for nurturing nuclear professionals, as well as its educational and research environment. During the visit, Consul General Askar received a briefing on KINGS’s academic programs and institutional overview, followed by a campus tour of key educational facilities. He showed strong interest in KINGS’s practice-oriented curriculum and its growing international cooperation network. He also met with Kazakh students currently studying at KINGS, engaging in meaningful discussions on their experiences in Korea, career opportunities in the nuclear industry, and the importance of expanding people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

“KINGS is fostering globally competitive talents in the nuclear field and continues to broaden its international partnerships,” said Dr. Hak-kyu Lim,  Acting President of KINGS. “We expect that Consul General Askar’s visit will serve as a meaningful opportunity to enhance practical collaboration and mutual development between KINGS and Kazakhstan.” In response, Consul General Aslan M. Askar stated, “I was deeply impressed by KINGS’s high-quality education programs and the passionate academic atmosphere among its students. Continued cooperation between our two countries in the areas of energy and education will greatly benefit the growth and development of future generations.” Through this visit, KINGS and the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Busan reaffirmed the potential for collaboration in various areas, including the nuclear and energy industries, education, research, and human exchange. Both institutions agreed to maintain close communication to develop concrete cooperation plans and expand bilateral exchanges.

Consul General Askar, fluent in Russian, English, and Korean, has maintained close ties with Korea since 2011. He has introduced more than 800 Korean companies to Kazakhstan, contributing significantly to bilateral economic cooperation. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in the successful launch of the first direct flight between Busan and Almaty in August 2025.

The visit was accompanied by a crew from Kazakhstan’s national broadcaster, Khabar TV, which conducted interviews with KINGS students and faculty members. The coverage will be aired in Kazakhstan, further raising awareness and interest in KINGS and Korea’s nuclear education system.

Aboitiz Power, a leading private energy company in the Philippines, visited the KEPCO International Graduate School (KINGS) on Wednesday, September 24, to explore opportunities for collaboration on nuclear education programs.

The visit comes as the Philippine government weighs the reintroduction of nuclear power to boost energy security and move closer to its carbon neutrality goals. It marked the beginning of a dialogue aimed at building long-term cooperation with KINGS.

The three-member delegation was led by Rolando J. Paulino, Aboitiz Power’s Chief Engineering & Projects Officer. The delegation toured the KINGS campus, examined its teaching facilities, and learned about the school’s practice-oriented nuclear curriculum and international partnerships.

Aboitiz Power is among the largest private energy firms in the Philippines, holding the top market share in power generation and ranking second in power distribution. In recent years, the company has stepped up investments in energy transition and clean energy initiatives across Southeast Asia.

Speaking on the significance of the visit, a KINGS representative said, “International collaboration is becoming increasingly essential as we work toward shared goals such as energy security and carbon neutrality. KINGS will continue to strengthen its global education capabilities by fostering practical nuclear professionals and solidifying its role as a global hub for nuclear education.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine government is actively reviewing the reintroduction of nuclear energy as part of its strategy to stabilize power supply and achieve carbon neutrality. The visit of Aboitiz Power to KINGS is expected to serve as an important first step in expanding bilateral cooperation in the nuclear sector.